US2012971A - Vacuum closing machine - Google Patents

Description

p 1935- R. E J. NORDQUIST 2,012,971

VACUUM CLOSING MACHINE Filed March 25, 1929 10 Sheets-Sheet 1 t i 97 m4 m2 385 4 E I 2 I I lNiiToR 8% 6 W ATTORNEY VACUUM CLOSING MACHINE Sept; 3, 1935.

Filed March 25, 1929 10 Sheets-Sheet ATTORNEY Sept. 3, 1935.- R. E. J. NORDQUIST VACUUM CLOSING MACHINE Filed March 25, 1929 10 Sheets-Sheet 4 WNN ATTORN EY R. E. J. NORDQUIST VACUUM CLOSING MACHINE Filed Mai'ch 25, 1929 Sept. 3, 1935 10 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTQR ATTORNEY Sept. 3, 1935. R. E. J. NORDQUIST 2,012,971

VACUUM CLOSING" MACHINE I Filed March 25, 1929 10 Sheets-Sheet 6 HHMEE 45} \a E xx g QM Sept. 3, 1935. R. E. J. NORDQUIST VACUUM CLOSING MACHINE Filed March 25, 1929 10 Sheets-Sheet 7 INVENTOR 8 BY r w T n ATTORNEY i Al P 1935- R. E. J. NORDQUIST 2,012,971

VACUUM CLOSING MACHINE Filed March 25, 1929 10 Sheets-Sheet 8 Sept. 3, -193 5.

R. E. J. \NORDQUIST 2,012,971

VACUUM CLOSING MACHINE Filed March 25, 1929 10 Sheets- Sheet 9 fiillll llll l-l t (9 3 g z; ATTORNEY Patented Sept. 3, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE VACUUM CLOSING MACHINE Ronald E. J. Nordqulst, Maplewood, N. J., assignor to American Can Company, New York, N. Y., a corporation of New Jersey Application March 25, 1929, Serial No. 349,855

23 Claims. (01. 113-1) -be substantially or fullyexhausted from the container and so that all containers may be sealed under substantially constant vacuum,

An important object of the invention is the provision of an apparatus in which the sealing of the container is prevented when the proper predetermined vacuum does not exist.

Another important object of the invention is the provision of a valve for conveying containers into and out of a vacuum chamber so mounted as to be readily removable from operating position without disturbing the setting .of any of the timed elements connected therewith, the removed position of the val permitting access to the interior of the valve and to adjacent parts of the vacuum chamber. U

A further important object of the invention is the provision of an improved cooling system for a sealing or seaming head mechanism, comprising parts operating at high speed, and confined entirely within a vacuum chamber, such cooling system contemplating water circulation for and through certain of the stationary parts and expansion of air within a highly rarefied atmosphere with its resulting refrigerating characteristics for certain of the high velocity moving parts.

An important object of the invention is the provision of a seaming mechanism and a valve which introduces a can with a' loosely applied cover into a vacuum chamber, and a guideway leading from the valve to the seaming mechanism, both valve and guideway regulating proper partial separation of the can and cover during their introduction into the chamber to insure withdrawal of the air from the interiorof the can prior to the sealing of the cover thereto.

An important object of the invention is the provision of a casing built up in sections, a minimum number of certain sections carrying some of the working parts of the apparatus whereby the assembling of the sections with each other and with the remaining parts of the apparatus is greatly facilitated and whereby an air tight vacuum chamber is provided having a minimum number of openings in the casing wall and a minimum number of operating elements projecting through the casing and into an outside atmosphere, this construction insuring a chamber capable of maintaining an extremely high degree of vacuum.

Numerous other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent as it is better understood from the following description, which, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings discloses a preferred embodiment thereof.

Referring to the drawings.

Figure 1 is a front elevation of the vacuum closing machine;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the machine;

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section of the machine, taken substantially along line 3-3 in Fig. 4, parts being broken away;

Fig. 4 is a plan sectional View taken substantially along the line 44 in Fig. 3, parts being removed and broken away;

Fig. 5 is a. top plan view of the principal gearing in the machine, shafts being in section and the associated and interventing frame parts being removed and some gear parts being broken away;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary plan, sectional view of the valve and its supporting frame the latter being swung outwardly into non-operating position;

Fig. '1 is a front elevation of the lower part of the machine;

Fig. 8 is a diagrammatic front elevation of the can conveying devices and associated gearing, supporting frame parts being removed;

Fig. 9 is a longitudina1 sectional view of the lower part of the machine'the section being taken along a plane substantially indicated by the broken line 9-9 in Fig. 5;

Fig. 10 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken substantially along line Ill-I in Fig. 4;

Fig, 11 is a transverse sectional view taken substantially along line I l-H in Fig. 4;

Fig. 12 is a skeleton view of those parts directly associated with the water and air cooling systems;

Fig. 13 is a skeleton view of the seaming head illustrating parts located along the line l3-l3 in Fig. 12;

Fig. 14 is a fragmentary diagrammatic view illustrating parts of the air cooling system;

Fig. 15 is a transverse sectional view of the upper part of the machine, the view being taken substantially along line-l'l5 in Fig. 2;

Fig. 16 is a transverse sectional view taken along line lG-IB in Fig. 15,

Fig. 1'7 is a sectional view, parts shown in elevation, taken along line lI-l'l in Fig. 16, and

Fig. 18 is a sectional plan view taken substantially along line l8l 8 in Fig. 7.

Fig. 19 is a sectional plan view taken substan- -tially along theline l9-l9 inFig. 9.

Fig. 20 is a transverse section view taken substantially along the broken line 20-20 in Fig. 17.

The present invention contemplates the use of an apparatus comprising a standard form of sealing mechanism herein illustrated as a double seaming mechanism that is adaptedfor closing containers or cans that are filled in normal atmospheric conditions and closing the cans within a vacuum chamber surrounding the sealing mechanism the chamber being under other than normal atmospheric conditions." Cans with loose ly applied covers (illustrated as being clinched about the upper flange of the can) arereceived within the machine in untimed relation and the cans are then timed with conveying mechanism which presents the cans successively to the pockets of a rotary valve member.

The valve transfers each can to. an opening communicating with the vacuum. chamber and the can is then moved into a pocket of an inter-- mittently moving turret. This turret carries the can to the seaming station where can and cover after being clamped within a seaming head are double seamed or'otherwise united by a usual form of seaming mechanism. This seaming operation takes place while the can still remains in the pocket of the turret the latter being on its rest period at such a time. Following the sealing of the cover to the can the-seamed can is then returned to a pocket of the valve and further moved to discharge mechanism.

The chamber into which the can is introduced is connected with vacuum control devices which regulate the amount of vacuum, a device operating to stop the machine in the event that the vacuum falls below a certain predetermined point. Parts of the seaming head are continuously moving and the frictional heat generated thereby is dissipated by a water cooling system. A rotating seaming head which carries seaming rollers and associated mechanism is further cooled by atmospheric air introduced into the vacuum chamber. Owing to the high degree of vacuum within the chamber this relatively small amount of atmospheric air upon being released within the chamber is rapidly expanded this resulting in eflicient refrigeration of the atmosphere adjacent the rotating seaming head.

The working and supporting parts of the appal parts of the seaming mechanism.

Casing- 24 is provided with an opening 21 which is closed by a door 28 hinged at 29 to the casing 24, see also Fig. 2. Door 28 is held in sealed position against a flange of casing 24 by means of hand clamps 3| threaded about hinge latches 32 pivoted to lugs 33 projected from the casing a packing 36 carried in a groove formed in the flange of the door 28 is tightly forced against the flange surrounding opening 21 of casing 24 and forms a hermetic closure for the vacuum chamber 26. A glass window 31 is inserted in door 28 and permits visual inspection of the can being closed in the double seaming mechanism. The seaming .mechanism includes a seaming head designated generally'by the numeral 38 positioned entirely within the vacuum chamber 26. Also positioned within the vacuum chamber 26 and beneath head 38 is a can turret 39 which moves a can onto can lifting and positioning devices designatedgenerally by the numeral 40.

Stationary parts of head 38 are mounted upon and carried by columns 4| (Figs. 3 and 12) bolted at 42 to the casing cover 25. .All of the seaming head mechanism'is thus suspended from casing cover 25. Seaming head 38 comprises a seaming head housing 43 directly engaging the columns 4| and clamped thereon in a predetermined vertical position by cooperation with column caps '44. Housing 43 is adjusted up and down along the columns 4| by a connecting screw 45 having right and left hand threads which connect the housing 43 and the cover 25.

Housing 43 is provided with a chamber 46 (Fig. 13) through which is circulated a cooling fluid, circulation also being had within chambers 41 on the inside of columns 4|. This cooling mechanism preferably comprises'a water circulating system=illustrated in detail in Fig. 12. A reservoir 5| is formed in the base 2| and contains a given amount of water 52 introduced into the reservoir through a filling neck 53 closed by a hinge cap 54 (see also Figs. 1, 3 and 9).

A rotary pump 55 (Fig. 12) is mounted within the reservoir 5| on a bracket 56 carried by the base 2| and the intake 51 of the pump extends below the level of the water 52. The other or outlet side of pump 55 is connected by a pipe 58 to a flexible hose 59 in turn connected to the lower end of one of the columns 4| The flexible .hose 59 provides communication with chamber 41 of the one column 4| and a hose 62 connects the upper end of this chamber 41 in this column with the upper part of chamber 46 in housing 43. A second flexible hose 63 connects the lower part of the chamber 46 with the upper end of the chamber 41 enclosed in the second column 4|.

A flexible hose 64 secured to the lower end of the second column 4| provides communication between the lower end of its chamber 41 and a passageway 65 formed in a valve block 66 threadedly secured within a wall of casing 24 (Fig. 1). This passageway connects with a pipe 61 extending downwardly into the reservoir 5|,

the bottom end of pipe 61 being at the normal water level of the liquid 52. Heat generated by the moving parts of the seaming head 38 is carried by conduction through the walls of chambers 46 and 41 and passes into the water 52 which is circulated through the described connections by the pump 55. A rotating member 1| of the seaming head 38 (Fig. 3), may be of usual or preferred type wherein seaming rollers 12 carried thereby are carried about a chuck 13. This rotating member 1| is preferably formed with projecting flns or annular ridges 14 which increase the outer surface of the same and permit increased cooling action of air introduced into the chamber adjacent the periphery thereof.

The air cooling device referred to comprises a nozzle 15 (Figs. 3, 12 and 14) carried by a bracket 16 bolted to the lower end of one of the columns 4 I. Nozzle 15 is adjacent to the periphery of head member 1| and communicates by means of a flexible hose 11 with the valve block 66, the interior of the hose 11 communicating with a passageway 18 therein controlled by a pet cock 19. Upon opening of the pet cock 19 air from outside the vacuum chamber rushes through the passageway 18, the hose 11 and nozzle 15 to the inside of the chamber where it expands rapidly causing refrigeration within the vicinity immediately surrounding the periphery of the revolving head 1I. This expanded air absorbs heat from the revolving head with a resulting cooling of the same.

Seaming head 38 is controlled in a usual manner by connection with a vertical shaft 8| (Fig. 3) extending upwardly through the casing cover 25. A stufiing box 82 surrounds shaft 8| adjacent the place where it extends outside of the cover 25 and prevents leakage of air between shaft and cover. At the same time shaft 8I can freely rotate within abearing 83 formed in an upper gear housing 84 mounted upon the cover 25.

Shaft til at its upper end carries a bevel gear 85 which meshes with a similar gear 88 secured to a horizontal drive shaft 81. Shaft 81 is journalled in bearings 88 formed in housing 84 and has a drive pulley 89 loosely mounted thereon. Power from a source outside of the machine is communicated to the pulley 89 in any usual manner to cause rotation thereof, this constituting a driving element of the machine. Any standard form of clutch 9| is interposed between the pulley 89 and the drive shaft 81 and when in clutched position connects these parts and thus causes rotation of the shaft 81 with the rotation of the pulley 89.

Clutch 9| (Figs. 1, 2 and 3) is thrown into clutched or unclutched position by movement of a yoke lever' 92 pivoted on an arm 93 projected from gear housing 84. Lever 92 carries trunnions 94 pivotally connecting with a collar 95 operating over one of the bearings 88 and moving against a plate 96 associated with the clutch 9I. In one position of the collar 95 the clutch 9| connects the pulley 89 and shaft 81 as aforesaid and in a second position the clutch disconnects these parts.

Lever 92 is shifted to cause movement of collar 95. by movement of a connecting rod 91 pivotally connected at one end with the lever 92 and at its opposite end with an oscillating disk 98 mounted to turn. about a stud 99 carried by the upper part of housing 84. Disk 98 is pivotally connected at I 8I to a bar I02 in turn pivotally connected at I93 to an arm I84 carried by a rock shaft I85 oscillated by a control handle I06. Operation of handle I96 thus actuates the clutch to connect c: disconnectthe driven and driving parts of the machine. Disk 98 carries a lug I81 in which is adjustably secured a stop bolt I08 adapted to strike against a lug I09 when disk 98 is in one position.

All movements of the driving mechanisms for operating the various units-in the apparatus are derived directly or indirectly by connection with the drive shaft 81. The seaming head 38 through its connecting gears 85 and 88 just described is one example. Movement for the can turret 39 and the can lifting and positioning devices 48 cover 23. A form of Geneva transmission, in part carried by shaft I I2 operates to impart step movement to the shaft, the part of the transmission so carried comprising a disk H4 keyed to and held upon the lower end of shaft II2 (see also Figs. 5, 9 and 19). Disk II 4 carries a series of spaced rollers II5 loosely mounted upon pins IIB. .A roller H5 is engaged within a cam groove II1 of an irregular shaped cam II8 secured to a horizontal shaft II9.

The shape of cam groove II1'is such as to impart a partial rotation to the disk II 4 which is followed by a rest periodfboth movement and.

rest taking place with each complete rotation of the cam member I I8. For this purpose the cam groove I I1 extends around more than half of the perimeter of the cam II8; Throughout contact between the inclined sections of the cam groove land a roller II5 movement of the disk II4 takes place, then follows a rest period as the end of the cam groove leads the roller, and

throughout the remaining cycle of rotation of cam II8, disk H4 is held stationary by a locking ring segment I 2| carried by the cam I!8.- This segment engages within one of a series of grooves I22 formed in the bottom face of disk H4. Can turret 39 is thus moved in accordance with disk IM'and shaft II 2 for the purpose of presenting cans to the seaming head as hereinafter set forth.

Shaft I I9 (Figs. 3, 5 and 9) is journalled within a bearing I25 carried by a depending bracket I26 formed integrally with the housing cover 23 and in a bearing I21 carried by a bracket I28 also formed integrally with the housing cover 23. The end of shaft I I9 adjacent the cam H8 and bearings I25 and I21 is positioned within an oil chamber I29 formed by the lower gear housing 22 and the housing cover 23. Oil chamber I29 is thus positioned directly beneath the vacuum chamber 26 and is separated therefrom by the upper surface of the housing cover 23.

Chamber I29 is adapted to contain lubricating oil I3I in which the can turret driving parts and other mechanism operate. The upper level of the oil extends to a point just beneath the upper edge of the gear housing 22 providing a head space I32 above the oil which is connected with the upper part of the vacuum chamber 26 by 'a vertically positioned pipe I33 carried within a boss I34 formed in the upper surface of the cover member 23.

This pipe construction insures the same atmospheric conditions within the chambers I29 and 26, these being normally under a substantial vacuum or rarefied atmosphere. Such an equalization of pressures within the two chambers 26 and I29 prevents raising of the oil I3I around and about shaft H2 and other parts of the mechanism and its passage into the vacuum chamber.

The housing cover also carries mechanism of the can lifting and positioning devices 49. These devices comprise a lifting plunger I42 positioned within the vacuum chamber and held within a sleeve I83 moving up and down in a bearing I44 formed integrally with the housing cover 23. The plunger may be yieldingly connected with the sleeve as by a spring connection, not shown, this being a usual construction in plungers of this type.

Plunger I42 is directly beneath and in axial alignment with chuck 13 of the seaming mechanism its sleeve I43 extending through the cover 23 and into the head space I32 of the oil chamber I29. At its lower end sleeve I43 carries a cam roller '41 which rests upon a ring cam I48 carried by a flange I49 of a cam member I5I keyed to a vertical shaft I 52 journalled in a bearing 1 53 formed in the upper wall of housing cover 23 and within a bearing I54 carried by the bracket I28.

Continual rotation of shaft I52 within its bearings I53 and I54 carries cam ring I48 beneath roller I41 and this action by reason of the varying thickness of cam ring I48 raises and lowers sleeve I43 and plunger I42. Cam member I5I also carries a cam flange I 55 spaced from ring cam I48 which is engaged by a cam roller I56 mounted on the same axis as roller I41 and carried by the sleeve I43.

Cam flange I 55 cooperating with ring cam I48 thus holds roller I41 against its cam surface and causes sleeve I43 and plunger I42 to follow the ring cam I48. Shaft I52 receives continual rotation from shaft II9 by a gear connection comprising bevel gears I51 and I58 carried by the respective shafts I52 and H9.

Shaft II9 (Figs. 5 and 9) projects through one wall of the housing 22, a stuffing box I6I being mounted on shaft II9 where it passes from the chamber I29. This permits rotation of the shaft H9 and prevents passage of air into the said chamber.

The outer end of shaft II 9 exterior of the chamber I29 is carried in bearings I62 formed in a housing I63 mounted on base 2|. Shaft II9 (Figs. 8 and 9) carries a sprocket I64 over which operates a chain I65 also passing over a sprocket I36 mounted on a shaft I61 connected with the rotor member of the water pump 55. Rotation of the shaft H9 is by this means transmitted to the pump 55 for the circulation of the cooling water within the seaming head mechanism as previously described. Sprocket I64 and chain I65 are positioned within a housing I68 mounted upon base 2|.

Shaft II9 (Figs, 3, 5, 8 and 9) carries within the housing I63, a bevel gear I1I which meshes with a similar gear I12 keyed to the lower end of a vertical shaft I13; Shaft I13 at its lower end rotates within bearings I14 formed in a valve frame I15 carried upon housing I63. -The upper end of shaft I13 rotates within a bearing I16 formed in the upper gear housing 84. Bearing I16 is further reinforced by a sleeve I11 bolted thereto and extending downwardly around shaft I13 this construction holding shaft I 13 more rigid.

The upper end of shaft I13 positioned within the housing 84 carries a spur gear I8I (Figs. 3 and 5) normally connected therewith by a slip clutch device hereinafter fully explained, and said gear I 8| meshes with an idler gear I82 rotating about a stud I83 secured within a boss I84 formed in the housing 84. Gear I82 in turn meshes with an idler gear I85 rotating about a stud I86 secured within bearings I81 formed in the housing 84. Gear I85 is formed integrally with a. gear I88 which in turn meshes with a gear I89 formed integrally with the gear 85 carried by shaft 8I.

Through the described connection it will be evident that drive shaft 81 furnishes a driving power for not only the entire seaming mechanism,

positioned within the upper part of chamber 26 but also the mechanism contained within oil chamber I29 and the lower part of chamber 26, this latter. mechanism relating to the can turret 39 ,and the can lifting and positioning devices 48. It should also be observed that a large part of this driving connection is exterior to chambers 26 and I29 and that connection with the mechanism Within the chambers is made at cured to the upper end of sleeve I93.

two places only, that is by shaft 8| surrounded with its stuffing box 82 and by shaft H9 surrounded by its stufling box I6I. This construction permits easy assembly of the parts, affords driving connections exterior of the chambers for certain can feeding devices to be hereinafter described, and furthermore provides a more eiiicient vacuum chamber with minimum possibilities for leaks.

The slip clutch connected with gear I8I is illustrated in Fig. 15 and comprises a series of balls I9I retained within an outwardly extending flange I92 of a sleeve I93 keyed to and held on the upper end of shaft I13. The balls I9I are confined between gear I8I and a sliding collar I94 surrounding the sleeve I93, being slidable along a feather I95 secured to the sleeve I33. This connection permits sliding movement between collar and sleeve, preventing relative rotation therebetween. A coil spring I96 surrounds the stem of collar I94 and is interposed between a part thereof and threaded washers I91 adjustably se- By this means the balls I9I are normally forced downwardly and normally each ball is seated within a depression formed in the upper end of a bushing I98 inserted within the gear I8I.

As long as balls I9.I are engaged within their respective bushings I98 the gear I8I is locked with the sleeve I93 which in turn is keyed to the shaft I13. In case of a jam or excess strain on the driven parts, which would result in locking the shaft I13 against rotation, spring I96 yields sufiiciently to permit slight sliding movement of the collar I94 as the balls I9I ride out of their seats within the bushings I98. Each bushing I98 is positioned at a different distance from the center of the shaft I13 andthis insures proper timing by requiring a complete revolution of the gear I8I about shaft I13 before the balls are again in locking position.

Cans 208 with loosely applied covers 28I are introduced into and are removed from chamber 26 through an opening 202 (Figs. 3 and 4) formed in casing 24 opposite the opening 21. The introduction of the cans within the chamber 26 and their removal therefrom takes place without any appreciable impairment of the vacuum existing the other cans, a transfer device for moving the timed cans from the timing mechanism, a valve member for receiving cans from the transfer device and positioning them into a pocket I I I of the can turret 39, the can turret 39, which intermittently advances the can and which presents it to the seaming mechanism and again returns it to a pocket of the valve member, and a discharge device for conveying the cans from the valve and out of the machine. The mechanisms of these various devices will now be described inthe order here given.

All of the mechanisms just mentioned except can turret 39 are mounted upon and carried by the valve frame I15 (Figs. 4, 5 and 8). The cans with loosely applied covers are introduced into the machine by the feeding device, which comprises a continuously moving conveyor chain 293 passing over an idler sprocket 204 mounted on a shaft 205 journalled in a feed-in table 206 carried by the valve frame I15. The forward end of chain 203 passes over a sprocket 201 secured to a shaft 208 journalled in the table 206. Shaft 208 (Fig. also carries a bevel pinion 209 which meshes with a bevel gear 2I I secured to a vertical shaft 212 journalled in the table 206. Shaft 2I2 carries a gear 2I3 which meshes with a gear 2 secured to a valve shaft 2I5 (Figs. 3 and 11) journalled in a bearing 2 I 6 formed in valve frame I15. Gear 2I4 (Fig. 5) also meshes with a gear 2I1 secured to shaft I13, which shaft thus furnishes the driving energy for the conveyor chain 203.

The upper run of conveyor chain 203 passes along a slot 22I (Fig. 4) cut in the upper surface of table 206. The incoming cans 200 with their applied covers 20I are supported upon the conveyor 203 andmoved over the upper surface of the table 206 in processional order. During this passage of the cans the same are guided between walls 222 and 223 mounted upon table 206. Walls 222 and 223 extend to a point above the can and are covered by a plate 224 (Figs. 1 and 2) hinged at 225 on wall 223 and on a housing 226 formed in the wall 223. This construction provides a tunnel for the incoming cans. the hinge plate tunnel and to the cans therein, the plate at such time being swung about its hinges. The timing mechanism is located to one side of table 206 and comprises a spiral thread 221 (Figs. 4 and 8) .formed on a sleeve 228 fixed to a shaft 229 rotating in bearings 23I formed in the housing 226. Thread 221 gradually and uniformly increases in size from its beginning where it coincides with the diameter of the sleeve 228, this being at the end first engaged by the incoming cans, up to its maximum diameter at the end of the sleeve. This thread engages each can successively, retards and separates the same, the conveyor chain 203 sliding beneath the cans as they move forward at a slower rate of travel. Thread 221 at its large end times the forward travel of the can in synchronism with the other operations of the machine.

Devices for rotating shaft 229, sleeve 228 and its thread 221 comprise a bevel gear 232 secured to shaft 229 and meshing with a similar gear 233 formed integrally with a shaft 234 journalled within the forward bearing 23I and within a bearing 235 (Fig. '1) bolted to the table 206. The opposite end of shaft 234 carries a bevel gear 236 (Figs. 5 and 8) which meshes with a gear 231 secured to shaft 208.

A can 200 reaching the forward end of the thread 221 is engaged by an arm of a star wheel -24I (Figs. 4 and 8) secured to the upper end of shaft 2 I2, this constituting a can transfer device. Star wheel 24I slides the can over a surface 242, which is a continuation of the upper surface of table 206, during which time the can traverses a substantially 'circular path being moved between guide rails 243 and 244 carried by valve frame I15. The circular guide rails 243 and 244 are eccentrically positioned relative to the shaft 2I2 and the can passing therethrough is therefore accelerated. This acceleration properly spaces the cans for entry into the pockets of a rotating valve member.

Guide rail 244 extends above the top of the can and a circular wall 245 mounted upon the valve frame 515 and concentric with shaft M2 is of the same height. A cover plate 246 (Fig. 2) rests upon guide rail 244 and wall 245 and these parts completely enclose the star wheel 2 and the cans moving therewith.

The valve member (Figs. 3, 4 and 11) comprises a circular drum or valve 241 keyed to shaft 2I5, the same being supported, during its rotation, by the bearing 2I6. A- can 200 received from star wheel 24I rests within a pocket 248 of the valve 241 and is thereby carried around a circular path of travel to the opening 202 of the vacuum chamber 26. During a part of the rotation of the valve 241 each chamber 248 is sealed against the outside atmosphere, this being accomplished by a member interposed between the valve and the casing 24.

This sealing member comprises a hollow float valve seat member 25I positioned in front of opening 202 and partially encircling the outside of the valve 241, an inner chamber 252 thereof communicating with the opening 202. Opening 252 adjacent chamber 26 is surrounded by a flange 253 cooperating with a flange 254 formed in the seaming casing 24. Floatvalve seat member 25I is movably held in position relative to casing 24 by studs 255 passing through openings formed in the flanges 253 and 254.

Flange 254 is provided with a groove 256 extending around theopening 202. A corresponding aligned groove 251 is formed in the flange 253, and a resilient or flexible tubular member 258 is positioned within said grooves. This tubular member provides a seal for the joint between the flanges 253 and 254 and at the same time holds the float valve seat member 25I in air-tight position against the face of the valve 241. The tubular member 258 is inflated through valve 250 and the pressure forces the float valve 25I against the valve seat member 241 and thereby provides air tight but movable contact between those members.

An oiling and scraping device (Figs. 1, 4 and 11) is provided to aid in an easy movement of the valve 241 within the seat of the float valve seat member 25 I. ing substantially the entire height of valve 241 and hinged at 262 to abracket 263 bolted to the float valve seat member 25I. Plate 26I' is provided with a scraper-blade 264 which normally rests against the outer periphery of the valve 241. This normal position is maintained by springs 265 interposed between the plate 26I and the bracket 263. Scraper blade 264 (Fig. 18) is used to remove any foreign material which might collect on the outer surface of the valve so as to clean said surface. The close fit necessary atv all times between. valve andvalve seat makes such a scraping device highly desirable.

Plate 26I is also provided with a channel 266 extending throughout its entire height and in this channel is positioned a follower strip 261 backed up by springs 260recessed in the plate. A felt or other suitable type of wick 268 is confined within the slot 266 with its outer edge municates with a similar passage 212 which connects with an oil drip cup 213 mounted on the extension 269. Oil dropping from the cup 213 flows by gravity through the passageways 212 and 21! and is absorbed by the wick268 which in turn applies a film of oil to the outer periphery of the valve 24! as it rotates. As illustrated in Fig'. 4 this oiling device is positioned directly back of the scraper blade 264 and thus in position to apply oil to the cleaned surface of the valve which moves continually past scraper and oiler.

The top of each pocket 248 (Figs. 3 and is only a short distance above the can 288 positioned therein and thepockets total height is therefore considerably less than the height of the valve 241. This provides afloor 215 for each pocket on which a can rests and also a ceiling 216 spaced a slight distance above the top of a can cover resting upon its can. As each pocket 248 during its movement with the rotating valve 24!, connects with the opening 252 .of the float valve seat member 25! (Fig. 4), air in the pocket surrounding the can quickly passes into the vacuum v chamber 26 causing a reduction in air pressure within the pocket. Simultaneously, or perhaps immediately following, the air within the can which is also at atmospheric pressure, begins to escape and this causes a slight lifting of the can cover 28!. This action of lifting of the cover is limited by the ceiling 216 of the turret pocket 248 and the cover cannot be raised beyond a predetermined position. 7

Where the can cover 28! is clinched onto the can 288, this being the form illustrated in the drawings, a curl 21'! of the cover extends over a flange 278 of the can. The ceiling 216 of the turret pocket 248 in this case prevents the lifting of the cover 28! to a point where its curl 27'! would lock against the can flange 218 for if such a looking action took place the escape of the air from the interior of the can would be retarded. It is desirable that this air be withdrawn from the interior of the can as rapidly as possible and nec essary that the predetermined vacuum be established inside the can prior to its being clamped at the seaming station.

Discharge arms 28! (Figs. 3, 4 and 10) are positioned within each chamber 248 and are keyed to a vertical shaft 282 which oscillates within a bushing 283 and within a bearing 284 both carried by the valve 241. Two arms are illustrated in the drawings, there being an arm for engagement with the upper end of the can and an arm' for lower engagement with the bottom end of the can. The upper arm 28! (Fig. 10) is provided with a slot 285 which permits contact with both the wall of the can 288 and with the cover 28! and the lower arm is provided with a similar slot 288 which permits contact with the wall of the can 288 and with the bottom seam of the same.

The arms 28! within a pocket 248 rest in their innermost position when a can 288 enters, they being confined within recesses 281 cut in the pocket wall, (Figs. 3, 4 and 5) Upon alignment of a pocket 248 with the opening 252 of the float valve seat member 25! the arms 28! are moved outwardly to project the can resting therein through the opening 252 and into a pocket I of the can turret 39. This movement of the arms 28! is cam controlled.

Each shaft 282 extends beyond its bushing 283 and carries an arm 288 (Figs. 3, 4 and 11) which in turn carries a cam roller 289 operating within a cam groove 29! formed in a valve cover 292 secured to an auxiliary valve frame 293 in which rotates the upper end of the shaft 2!5. Valve cover 292 being held against movement and valve 24! being rotated therebeneath, each cam roller 289 traverses the cam groove 29! which, by reason of its contour, shifts arm 288 and thereby oscillates the shaft 282 to move arms 28! as aforesaid.

Can 288 (Fig. 4) moving from the valve pocket 248 and passing through opening 252 of the valve and into the chamber 26 through its opening 282, enters into a pocket of turret 39 and moves onto and over a table 294 secured to lugs 295 projected from the inner wall of casing 24.

Cover 28! clinched upon the can 288, during this passage into chamber 26, remains in position permitting discharge of the, air from the interior of the can, the raised cover resting against and moving along the underside of a guide rail 296 (Figs. 4 and 10) positioned above turret 39, the lower surface of which is in exact alignment with the ceiling 216 of the pocket 248. Rail 296 extends from the point of entrance of the can within the chamber 26 to the seaming station where the can is brought upon the plunger I42 of the can lifting and positioning mechanism 48. Rail 296 is secured to a circular guide wall 29! which practically encircles the can turret 39 and which is supported upon lugs 295 of the casing 24. Wall 29! guides each can 288 in its circular path of travel over the table 294 and holds the same within the turret 39.

The can intermittently moved by the can turret 39, is brought to rest at two idle stations, before being brought to rest upon plunger !42 (Fig. 3) at the seaming station. Following the seaming operation the seamed can is further intermittently advanced by the can turret 39 through two more idle stations and is finally moved into a pocket 248 of valve 24! this pocket having just been emptied of a can entering turret 39. During this reentrance of the seamed can into the valve pocket, arms 28! are held in retracted position, having been returned to this position by action of cam groove 29! operating on the roller 289 associated therewith. Fig. 18 illustrates this roller 289 at a high point 298 of groove 29!; this action holding arms 28! extended. The incline in the cam groove 29! to the right of this high point 298 effects retraction of arm 28! as valve 24'! moves pocket 248 into the can receiving position just described. Upon further movement of the valve 241, such cans are carried thereby to a position of discharge.

The discharge device comprises a disk 38! (Figs. 4 and 9) keyed to a vertical shaft 382 journalled in a bearing 383 formed in the valve frame I15 and in a table 384 carried by the valve frame !'!5. The can is again projected from its pocket 248 by outward movement of arms 28! and in so doing passes upon the rotating disk 38 The can is carried by the rotating disk 38! in a circular path of travel being confined at such time between an outer wall 385. formed integrally with wall 244 carried by the table 384,

and an inner wall 386 of a housing 38'! mounted upon the table 384.

Disk 38! is continually rotated by a connection illustrated in Figs. 5 and 9, comprising a spur gear 388 carried by the shaft 382 and meshing with the gear 2I4.

The can carried by disk 38! is then discharged onto the upper surface of table 384 and onto the upper run of a conveyor chain 3! (Figs. 4 and 8) operating in a slot 3|2 cut in the fioor thereof. Conveyor chain 3!! operates over a drive sprocket 3!3 keyed to a, horizontal shaft 3!4 (see also Figs. 5 and 9) journalled in a bearing 3!!:

32I, rotating with a shaft 322 journalled in the table 304, and over an idler sprocket 323 rotating with a shaft 324 also journalled in the said table. Conveyor chain 3II thus carries the seamed can over table 384 and between guide walls 325 and 326 supported thereupon, the former being an extension of wall 305, the latter being an extension of wall 306.

Provision is made for swinging the entire valve frame I15 about-the shaft I13 to move valve 241 from operating position. Inasmuch as all of the can conveying mechanism relating to feeding a can into the valve and removing it therefrom is.

mounted upon frame I15, this shifting of the said frame also moves these parts bodily. The open position of valve'frame I15 is illustrated in Fig. 6, this position permitting inspection of the opening 252, the float valve seat member 25I, the inner face of the valve 241 and any cans that may be therein at the time. a

Frame I15 is connected with a lower supporting housing 33I (Figs. 3 and'1) which carries the weight of the frame and parts carried thereby. Housing 33I rests upon an upper horizontal surface 332 of a box frame 333 carried by the base 2|. When the valve frame I15 and associated parts are moved outwardly to open position housing 33I slides along the surface 332, but does not pass therefrom. a

The valve frame and associated parts are retained in closed position, the bottom part being held by a bolt 334 passing through the housing 33I and threadedly secured within a projection 335 formed on frame 333. The upper part of the valve mechanism is also bolted, frame 293 being provided with an extension arm 336 through which passes a bolt 331 threadedly secured witht in the casing 24. Arm 336 also extends laterally and embraces shaft I13 in a bearing 338 which is directly beneath the sleeve I11.

It will now be evident by referring to Figs.3, '1 and 9, that the removal of- bolts 334 and 331 will leave the frame I15 and all parts carried thereby free to be moved about the shaft I13, bearing 338 forming one pivotal connection with the shaft and bearing I14 of valve frame I15 moving within the housing I63 forming the second pivotal connectieh. The weight of the entire moving parts however is sustained at; all times a by the frame 333 as aforesaid. A sleeve 339 posisloping toward a passageway 342 leading to the outside of the casing clever 23 and closed during normal operation of the machine by a pipe plug 343. Water and foreign substances carried thereby thus drains totthe low point during this flushing operation and flows through the passageway 342. It will be understood that such a cleaning operation takes place when the machine is v 7 not operating and with the door 28 open, this relatively large opening permitting easy access to the interior of the chamber 26". Bearings I I3'and I44 of shaft H2 and sleeve I43 extending through the cover 23 into the oil chamber I29 are elevated sufiiciently to prevent passage of water into oil chamber I29 beneath.

It is sometimes desirable for the machine manufacturer to know how much a machine has been operated and to provide for a device concealed within the machine that will make some kind of a record of the number of revolutions of some moving part thereof. Machines of the character of the vacuum closing machine of the present invention are often leased to small canners on a rental basis and a record of operations is thus necessary. Such a device is provided in the apparatus disclosed in the drawings and consists of able dial 348, (Fig. 1). Mechanism 341 is located within a chamber 349 formed in the valve frame I15. Access to thecounting mechanism for the purpose of reading the recorded. revolutions of the gear 2I5 is possible by removal of a cover plate I covering chamber 349 and secured by bolts 352.

Air is removed from the vacuum chamber 25 through a pipe line 355 (Fig. 2) one end of which communicates with the interior of the chamber, being bolted to the casing 24 at 358. The other end of the pipe line connects with a usual or preferred form of vacuum source, which may be a vacuum pump or similar device:

A vacuum regulator valve 358 is positioned in the pipe line 355 and limits the degree of rarification of the air within the chamber 26, or in other words prevents the degree of vacuum exceeding a predetermined gauge point. Thisdevice acts as a'regulator and after chamber 26 has reached its vacuous condition this condition is maintained, the relatively small amount of air admitted with each entering pocket of the valve member and through nozzle 15 being insufficient to affect it. V

In the event that the vacuum within chamber 26 falls below a predetermined point or gauge reading, an automatic device which is provided operates to shift the mechanism associated with the clutch connecting the driving pulley 89 and the drive shaft 81 so that these parts will be disconnected and themachine operations cease. Such a control device is illustrated in detail in Figs. -15, 16 and 17.

The principal working parts of this mechanism are carried by a tubular casing 36I mounted upon the upper gear housing 84. Casing 36I encloses the upper end of shaft I 13 and the slip clutch mechanism relating to the gear I8I previously described. Casing 36I is surmounted by a cover member 362, which forms the bottom of a chamher 363 enclosed-by walls 364 and closed at its upperend by a top plate 335. Y

' A bar 359 is provided for actuation of the drive clutch 9| previously described (Fig. 2), one end of the bar extending to a position adjacent the pivot I and the bar at its other end sliding over the upper edge of the casing 36I and beneath the cover 362. Bar 359 at this place (Fig. slides within a. slot 366 formed in the cover 362. Bar 359 in one position is adapted to be latched, the bar being moved to this position by engagement with the end of bar I92 (Fig. 2) when the latter is shifted by handle I06 to connect the clutch 9|.

This latch device comprises a slide 361 (Fig. 17) operating in guideways 368 formed in a casing 369 mounted on casing 36I and closing one end of chamber 363. During normal operation of the machine, slide 361 is held in lowered or latched position by a spring 31I interposed between the upper end thereof and a cover plate. 312 fixed to casing 369. When slide 361 is in this lowered position an extension 313 thereof rests within a slot 314 out in the upper face of the bar 359 (see also Fig. 16). One end of slot 314 (see also Fig. 20) is inclined and corresponds with an-inclined edge 315 formed on the extension 313. This permits sliding of bar 359 in one direction (toward left Fig. 16) which movement is made as just described through handle lever I06.

Such a movement of bar 359 is resisted by a spring 316 resting against a head 311 formed on one end of the bar 359, this end sliding within a block 310 secured to the casing 36L The outer end of spring 316 is held within the end of a cylinder 319 threadedly secured to the block 318. While the machine is operating, or when it is stopped by manual control of handle lever I06, slide 361 holds its extension 313 in the slot 314. Provision, however, is made in the nature of a control device, for lifting the slide 361 arid releasing the bar 359 which when freed from the latch moves under action of spring 316 to strike 4 against bar I02 and by moving it to disconnect clutch 9| and stop the machine. This control device is actuated in three different ways, first by reduction of vacuum within chamber 26 below a certain point, second by a mechanical connection with the slip clutch of gear I8I, and third by admission of air to certain parts of the device. The first and second actuations are automatic, the third is at the will of the operator I These will now be described.

Chamber 26 is in communication with a line i of pipe 38I, one end of which is screwed into the casing cover (Fig. 1), and the opposite end is threadedly secured to a cylinder head 382 fixed 1n one end of a cylinder 383 connected to the casing 36I (Fig.' 15), cylinder 383 enclosing a chamber 384 having an end wall 385. 383 extends forwardly beyond wall 385 and connects with side walls 364, these connecting parts providing the chamber 363 previously described.

A passageway 386 is formed in cylinder head 382 and connects the interior of pipe 38I with the interior of a sylphon bellows 381 attached to the head 382 and positioned within the chamber 384. The interior of bellows 381 is thus in- Cylinder by an adjusting nut 390 threadedly connected, therewith said collar confining a spring 393 between it and the wall 385. .Rod 39I and spring 393 are positioned within chamber 363, the former being connected to a bell crank lever 394 pivoted on a fixed shaft 395 carried by the side walls 364.

Bell crank lever 394 is loosely connected at 396 to-an arm 391 pivoted on a pin 398 carried by the slide 361. Arm 391 carries an extension hook 399 adapted to be moved into the path of travel of a vertically sliding rod 40I moving within a bore 402 -formed in casing 36I.

Rod 40I is raised and lowered by a cam, the rod carrying at its lower extremity a block 403 on which is rotatably mounted a cam roller 404 which operates within a cam groove 405 formed in the collar I94. The upper end of rod 40I is provided with a notch 406 which engages and seats the hook 399 of the arm 391 when the former is in the proper position.

Chamber 384 (Fig. 15) is at all times under atmospheric pressure and the spring 393 is of proper adjusted strength to balance the difierence between this atmospheric pressure operating against the end of bellows 381 and the rarefied air pressure or vacuum on the interior thereof. This balanced position is illustrated in Fig. 15, hook 399 of arm 391 being swung to one side and out of the path of travel of the rod 40I at such time. Rod MI is lifted with each rotation of the shaft I13 but as long as the proper degree of vacuum exists within the chamber 26 and the balance is maintained this lifting of rod MI is without efiect.

When the vacuum within chamber 26 is reduced, or otherwise stated when the actual pressure is increased, the balance between interior and exterior of the bellows 381 is disturbed such action then moving rod 39I toward the right, shifting bell crank lever 394, lifting arm 391 and moving its hook extension into the path of travel of the rising rod 40I. Upon engagement between notch 406 and hook 399 further lifting of rod 40I raises the entire slide 361 and parts carried thereby against the action of theispring 31I.

Extension 313 is thereupon carried out of groove 314 of bar 359 and spring 3.16 then slides the bar which throws the. clutch mechanism out of engagement stopping the machine. This constitutes the first automatic action of the control device.

For the second actuation, which takes place when gear I8I is held; there is provided a second vertical rod 401 sliding within a bore 408 formed in casing 361, the upper end of the rod engaging slide 361 (Figs. 16 and 1'1). The lower end of rod 401 carries a pin 409 which projects over the upper shoulder of the collar member I94. Upon operation of the collar I94 against the action of spring I96 rod 401 is correspondingly lifted to raise slide 361 and disengage its extension 313 from the bar 359 in a manner identical with that just described. This prevents damage to the machine which might otherwise result if it continued to run after slipping of the gear clutch members A simple wayof stopping the machine when the operator so desires is by admission of air to the interior of bellows 381. A pipe T 4 (Figs. 1 and 15) is interposed within the pipe line "I near cylinder 383, a pipe 4I2 being connected to one branch of the T, and a standard finger controlled valve 4 I3 being positioned in a convenient location on said pipe 4| 2. Upon depression of its button 4 air passes into pipe 2, T I, pipe 38L passageway 386 and into the interior of the sylphon bellows 381 thus disturbing the balance and lifting the slide 361 to free thebar 359, which slides as previously described to disconnect the driving and driven elements.

A vacuum gauge M5 is secured to the casing 24 (Figs. 1 and 3) and this gives a visual indication of the condition of vacuum within chamber 26.

It is thought that the invention and many of its attendant advantages will be understood from the foregoing description and it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the parts, without departing from the spirit and scope of'the invention, or sacrificing all of its material advantages, the form hereinbefore described being merely a preferred embodiment thereof.

I claim:

1. In an apparatus for vacuumizing and sealing containers, the combination of a casing providing a vacuum chamber and having an opening communicating with said' chamber, conveying mechanism adjacent said chamber for delivering cans thereto including a valve having a plurality of can receiving pockets, a feeding device for untimed cans, a transfer device for moving a can from the feeding device to a pocket of said valve and timing mechanism for individually timing and presenting each can to the transfer device, a clutch through which the said mechanism is operated, and means controlled by the degree of vacuum in said vacuum chamber for disconnecting said clutch.

2. In an apparatus for vacuumizing and sealing containers, the combination of a casing providing a vacuum chamber, seaming mechanism arranged in said chamber, conveying mechanism adjacent said chamber for delivering cans thereto, including a valve having a plurality of can receiving pockets, a frame in which said valve is mounted, said frame having movable association with the casing whereby the valve surface may be moved out of and into operating contact with the surface of said chamber.

3. In an apparatus for vacuumizing and sealing containers, the combination of a casing providing a vacuum chamber, seaming mechanism arranged in said chamber, conveying mechanism adjacent said chamber for delivering cans thereto, including a valve having a plurality of can receiving pockets and having a rotary bearing against said chamber, a shaft carried by said casing, and a frame pivoted on the shaft and carrying said valve.

4. In an apparatus for vacuumizing and sealing containers, the combination of a casing pro-- viding a vacuum chamber, seaming mechanism arranged in said chamber, conveying mechanism adjacent said chamber for delivering cans thereto, including a valve having a plurality of can receiving pockets and having a rotary bearing against said chamber, a shaft carried by said casing, a frame pivoted on the shaft and carrying said valve, and means for locking said frame and valve in valve operating position.

5. In an apparatus for vacuumizing and sealingcontainers, the combination of a casing providing a seaming chamber, having an opening communicating with said chamber, seaming mechanism arranged in said chamber, a. frame pivotally connected with said casing, conveying mechanism adjacent said chamber for delivering cans thereto including a valve having a plurality of can receiving pockets and carried by said frame, feeding and transferring devices carmechanisms for operating the seaming and conveying mechanisms, and control devices, including a bellows having its interior in communication with the interior of the vacuum'chamber, for terminating the operation of the actuating mechanisms upon reduction of the predetermined vacuum within said vacuum chamber.

7. In an apparatus for vacuumizing and sealing containers, the combination of a vacuum chamber adapted to contain a rarefied atmosphere, seaming mechanism arranged within said chamber, conveying mechanism for presenting cans to the seaming mechanism, actuating mechanisms for operating the seaming and conveying mechanisms, automatic control devices operable by a change in said rarefied atmosphere for rendering inoperative the said actuating mechanisms, and means for manually operating said automatic control devices.

8. In an apparatus for vacuumizing and sealing containers, the combination of a vacuum chamber adapted to contain a rarefied atmosphere, seaming mechanism arranged within said chamber, conveying mechanism for presenting cans to the seaming mechanism, actuating mechanisms for operating the seaming and conveying mechanisms, automatic control devices, including a bellows having its interior in communication with the interior of the vacuum chamber and operating upon reduction of the predetermined vacuum within said vacuum chamber and said bellows to terminate the operation of the actuating mechanisms, and means for manually reducing the vacuum within said bellows in order to effect such termination.

9. An apparatus for vacuumizing and sealing containers, in combination, a vacuum chamber, seaming mechanism including a rotating seaming head arranged in said chamber, and means 5 introducing air into said chamber and in controlled amounts for cooling said head by its expansion.

10. An apparatus for vacuumizing and sealing containers, in combination, a vacuum chamber, seaming mechanism including a rotating seaming head arranged in said chamber, a stationary air nozzle mounted within said vacuum chamber adjacent said rotating seaming head, and a connecting member forming communication between said nozzle and a source of air supply whereby a given quantity .of air is introduced within the vacuum chamber and directed against the rotating seaming head.

11. An apparatus for vacuumizing and sealing, containers, in combination, a-vacuum chamber, seaming mechanism comprising a rotating seaming head and relatively stationary supporting frame parts arranged in said chamber, and means comprising devices for circulating a cooling fluid through parts of said stationary frame for dissipating frictional heat generated by the rotating seaming head about its stationary supporting frame.

12. In an apparatus for vacuumizing and sealing containers, the combination of a vacuum chamber, seaming mechanism in said chamber, conveying mechanism adjacent said chamber for delivering cans thereto including a valve having a plurality of can receiving pockets, a frame in which said valve operates, and a recording counting mechanism concealed within said frame and connecting with said valve for recording the operations thereof.

13. An apparatus for closing containers and the like, comprising, seaming mechanism, a casing providing an air tight chamber about said seaming mechanism, mechanism adjacent said chamher for conveying cans, with their covers loosely applied, to and from the casing including a valve having a plurality of can receiving pockets, and fingers mounted in said pockets adapted to engage both cans and covers and to eject the same from their pockets within said valve and into said chamber.

14. In an apparatus for vacuumizing and sealing containers, the combination of a vacuum chamber adapted to contain a rarefied atmosphere, seaming mechanism arranged in said chamber, conveying mechanism for delivering cans with covers loosely applied to the seaming mechanism within said chamber, and means, operating while the interior of the can is in communication with said rarefied atmosphere of the chamber, for maintaining an air passageway between said canand cover. 1

15. In an apparatus for vacuumizing and sealing containers, the combination of a vacuum chamber adapted to contain a rarefied atmosphere, seaming mechanism arranged in said chamber, conveying mechanism for delivering cans with covers loosely clinched thereon to the seaming mechanism within said chamber, and a cover retaining plate arranged in said vacuum chamber and above the path of travel of the can and cover within said rarefied atmosphere for spacing said clinched cover away from the can and maintaining an air passageway therebetween.

16. In an apparatus for vacuumizing and sealing containers, the combination of a casing providing a vacuum chamber, and having an opening communicating with said chamber, avalve having a plurality of can receiving pockets positioned in said opening for delivering cans into said vacuum chamber, and a cleaning device mounted adjacent to and frictionally engaging said valve.

17. In an apparatus for vacuumizing and sealing containers, the combination of a casing providing a vacuum chamber and having an opening communicating with said chamber, a valve having a plurality of can receiving pockets positioned in said opening for delivering cans into said vacuum chamber, and an oiling device mounted adjacent to and frictionally engaging said valve.

18. In an apparatus for vacuumizing and sealing containers, the combination of a casing en closing a vacuum chamber and having an opening communicating with said chamber, a valve having a plurality of can receiving pockets positioned in said opening for delivering cans into said vacuum chamber, and a cleaning and oiling device hingedly mounted adjacent said valve and comprising a cleaning scraper and an oiling wick yieldingly held in frictional engagement with said valve.

19. In an apparatus for vacuumizing and sealing containers, the combination of a casing providing a vacuum chamber, seaming mechanism arranged in said chamber, a gear and moving parts housing below said chamber, gear and moving parts in said housing, and an oil bath in which said gear and moving parts are immersed.

'20. In an apparatus for vacuumizing and sealing containers, the combination of a casing providing a vacuum chamber, seaming mechanism arranged in said chamber, a gear and moving parts housing below said chamber, gear and moving parts in said housing, an oil bath in which said gear and moving parts are immersed, and means establishing the vacuum pressure of said chamber on said oil bath.

21. In an apparatus for vacuumizing and sealing containers, the combination of a seaming head, can moving devices for moving cans to and from said seaming head, a casing providing a vacuum chamber surrounding the seaming head and the can moving devices, actuating mechanisms for operating the seaming head, and the can moving devicescomprising-a drive shaft, a set of instrumentalities extending through the upper part of said casing for transmitting motion from said shaft to said seaming head, a second set of instrumentalities extending through the lower part of said casing for transmitting motion to the can moving devices, and means for maintaining a vacuum within the vacuum chamber while permitting relative movement between the casing on the one hand and the instrumentalities on the other.

22. In an apparatus for vacuumizing and sealing containers, the combination of a vacuum chamber adapted to contain a rarefied atmos phere, seaming mechanism arranged within said chamber, conveying mechanism for presenting cans to the seaming mechanism, actuating mechanisms for operating the seaming and conveying mechanisms, control devices for rendering inoperative the said actuating mechanisms, automatic means for operating said control devices,

said means being operable by a change in the rarefied atmosphere Within the vacuum chamber, and by an abnormal condition in the conveying mechanism, and means for manually operating said control devices.

23. In an apparatus for vacuumizing and sealing containers, the combination of a vacuum chamber adapted to contain'a rarefied atmosphere, seaming mechanism arranged within said chamber, conveying mechanism for presenting cans to the seaming mechanism, actuating mechanisms for operating the seaming and conveying mechanisms, automatic control devices, including a bellows having its interior in communication with the interior of the vacuum chamber and operating upon reduction of the predetermined vacuum within said vacuum chamber and said bellows to terminate the operation of the actuating mechanisms, means for terminating the operation of the actuating mechanisms independent of said bellows, and means for manually reducing the vacuum within said bellows in order to effect termination by said bellows.

RONALD E. J. NORDQUIST.

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